Aussie forces at Tindal RAAF Base No. 75 Squadron are playing the enemy during Pitch Black exercises.
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Taking on the role of ‘red air’, alongside a deployed US Marine Corps (USMC) All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron, the simulated fight is providing vital training for all involved.
Both squadrons simulate the ‘enemy’ during the exercise with set training serials for the Air Force and participating nations to fight and develop tactics against.
Mission Commander, Squadron Leader F said Red Force provides an adversary air threat to facilitate learning outcomes in the Large Force Employment (LFE) training.
“Pitch Black flying scenarios have around 50 Blue Force and 35 Red Force aircraft creating a big, complex picture and a difficult problem to solve for ‘good guys’ to carry out their mission,” Squadron Leader F said.
“We already have a very close relationship with the USMC and develop tactics with them regularly through exercises such as Pitch Black.
“Working closely together with other nations, including visiting USMC Hornets from Japan and the Royal Canadian Air Force Air-to-Air Refuelling CC-130H(T), strengthens our interoperable force.
“This training ensures basics like our avionics data can be shared, our systems are compatible and our tactics between the nations are aligned and working well.” he said.
With only days left of Pitch Black exercises, Defence has spent time engaging with the local Darwin, Katherine and Batchelor community.
Head of Air Shows and spokesperson for the Exercise, Air Commodore Noddy Sawade said that engaging with the local community is a vital element of Exercise Pitch Black.
“Community Engagement is not just about visiting schools, but sharing with the community where they can access key information,” Air Commodore Sawade said.
“This year we were able to post the flying windows on our website to assist the Darwin, Batchelor and Katherine communities with information about the increase in aircraft noise.
“By talking to students in these regions, we are also able to spike interest and explain why this type of training is so important,” Air Commodore Sawade said.
The visits were conducted by a variety of personnel from participating Squadrons who were offered the opportunity to talk about their specific role as part of Exercise Pitch Black.
Just last week, the media was invited to Tindal RAAF Base to talk to Wing Commander Andrew Tatnell, Squadron leaders, pilots, US Marines and surveillance officers.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss all sorts of aspects of Exercise Pitch Black.
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